Governor Evers declares emergency following flash flooding incident within the state.
Unprecedented Flooding Strikes Southeast Wisconsin: Communities Rally for Recovery
Southeast Wisconsin experienced an unprecedented bout of flooding from August 9 to 10, 2025, with over 10 inches of rain falling in some areas like Milwaukee and Waukesha counties [1][2][3][4][5]. This deluge led to widespread flash flooding, causing extensive property damage, power outages, road closures, and numerous rescues.
In response, Wisconsin's emergency services sprang into action. The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) was activated to coordinate agencies such as Wisconsin Emergency Management, Department of Natural Resources, and the Wisconsin National Guard [2]. Governor Tony Evers declared a state of emergency, allowing immediate use of emergency funds and federal disaster assistance via FEMA [2][3].
Emergency personnel and equipment were deployed to support the affected areas, including high-water vehicles, sandbagging materials, bottled water, and volunteer coordination [2]. Local emergency crews addressed immediate dangers such as gas leaks, downed power lines, and performed water rescues, with the Milwaukee Fire Department conducting 65 water rescues, primarily for stranded motorists [3].
State investigators and incident management teams are conducting ongoing assessments to evaluate flooding impacts and coordinate recovery planning [3]. Affected communities are advised to access local emergency management offices, state resources coordinated through WEM and SEOC, and FEMA programs once activated. Residents should follow official announcements for sandbag locations, evacuation orders, and disaster aid applications [2][3].
Nonprofit and municipal organizations are also mobilized to deliver aid where it's needed most [2][3]. In a show of solidarity, six firefighters from the Sauk City Volunteer Fire Department are heading to Milwaukee to help those impacted, with the Sauk City and Portage fire departments offering assistance [6][7].
This flood event represents the worst flash flooding since 2008 in the region, driven by intense thunderstorms fueled by atmospheric moisture dynamics and a localized mesoscale convective vortex that prolonged heavy rainfall [1]. The state's unified response aims to stabilize conditions, provide immediate relief, and support long-term recovery across impacted communities [2].
Despite the flooding, the availability of our website15 News or First Alert weather apps remained unaffected [10]. The specific locations within Milwaukee where the fire departments are headed to assist were not specified [6][7]. The specific nature of the assistance that the fire departments will provide in Milwaukee was not detailed [6][7].
As the cleanup and recovery efforts continue, the communities of Southeast Wisconsin stand united in their resilience and determination to rebuild.
References: [1] Associated Press [2] Wisconsin Emergency Management [3] Milwaukee Fire Department [4] Governor Tony Evers [5] FEMA [6] Sauk City Volunteer Fire Department [7] Portage Fire Department [10] our website15 News and First Alert weather apps
General news outlets, such as Associated Press, continue to report on the flooding situation in Southeast Wisconsin, while weather updates are being provided by platforms like our website15 News or First Alert weather apps.
